Soffit vent

ABSTRACT

A soffit vent comprising a unitary bottom panel with extending side walls, one or more interior walls extending from the bottom panel, a one or more open channels created by the side walls, interior walls and bottom panel and one or more closed channels adjacent to the open channels.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a soffit vent system that provides for venting of a building or other structure while preventing insects and environmental elements, such as water and snow, from entering the structure through the ventilator and can be made to fit a variety of pre-existing and newly constructed buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A soffit or eave is the exposed undersurfaces of any exterior overhanging section of a roof eave. A soffit vent is typically an air inlet source located at the downslope eave or in the soffit of a roof assembly. Soffit vents typically comprise perforated, louvered or baffled vent openings in the underside of the eaves of an overhanging roof or the fascia covering the ends of roof rafters when the roof has no soffit or has very narrow soffit. Soffit vents are commonly part of an attic ventilation system that may comprise roof vents, ridge vents, gable vents, power vents, roof louvers, turbines and the like.

The vent openings allow outside air to flow into the structure. This air exchange helps to prevent degradation of the roof structure, reduces the accumulation of condensation in the insulating material covering the floor of the attic cavity thereby increasing the efficacy of heating and cooling of the interior space in the building covered by the roof structure.

A soffit vent is typically used in conjunction with a roof ridge ventilator overlying the open roof along the length of the roof for exhausting the air from the space below the roof and the ceiling of the attic, i.e., as the air entering the attic through the soffit vent mixes with the warmer air in the attic, it has to be expelled through an opening in the roof ridge where the lighter, warmer air accumulates. Desirably, the volume of air intake through the soffit ventilator should be balanced by the volume of air exhaust through the roof ridge ventilator.

The terminology “Net Free Open Area” or NFA means the cross-sectional area of a ventilator system which is open for passage of air therethrough. This area value does not always correspond to a specific volume of air intake/exhaust through a soffit ventilator and roof ridge ventilator. Thus in many existing and newly built buildings there tends to be an out of balance soffit/roof ridge ventilation system. This, in part, is due to the fact that the normal stack effect movement of air results in low air intake volume. The stack effect is caused by outside air being more dense than air inside a building structure. Therefore the reduction in pressure with height is more rapid outside and the absolute pressure inside the structure is greater than that outside at all levels above the opening.

The total pressure difference distributed across a structure can be modified through design of building components i.e., soffit vents because it depends upon the relative resistances to flow. A soffit vent may be a part of an active venting system or a passive venting system. Much of the prior art suffers from the problem low NFA, and reduced air intake volume.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides an improved soffit vent that increases airflow into the building structure thus maximizing the efficiency of a ventilation system or natural ventilation. The soffit vent comprises a curved bottom panel with extending side walls adapted to be fixed to the soffit area of the building structure creating a front opening and channel for conveying air. The bottom panel can be contoured to direct and/or streamline the flow of air. The side walls can also be contoured to direct and/or streamline the flow of air.

The soffit area is generally of an even plane at the undersurface of an exterior section of a roof. The present invention provides a vent that comprises an inlet or front opening dropping below the soffit area plane to scoop and direct air from the environment exterior to the soffit area.

The vent is adapted to receive fastening means that can include but are not limited to nails, screws, adhesives and clamps that fasten the vent to the soffit area of a building structure. Preferably, the side walls are adapted to receive fasteners that fasten the soffit vent to the soffit area. The bottom panel has one or more openings. The openings allow for the passage of air and can be louvered with slats that are fixed or movable for admitting air and shedding rain. The opening can be substantially covered by an air permeable material. The openings preferable allow for the easy passage of air but do not provide for the passage of insects or other elements into the building structure.

The bottom panel of the vent preferably extends at its proximal or distal end to create an angle relative to the soffit area of the building structure of 1-180 degrees. The bottom panel may also curve of a given radius from the proximal or distal end to the opposite end. Alternatively the bottom may extend in a substantially planar design to the opposite end. This design provides for increased movement of air as the vent is positioned away from the eave overhang surface, thereby effectively increasing wind-aided air volume. The bottom panel and side walls can extend above the soffit area of the building structure. This embodiment provides for greater direction of airflow into the building space being vented.

The vent can comprise a unitary bottom panel or a plurality of curved bottom panels with extending side walls fixed to each other and adapted to be fixed to the soffit area creating substantially the same profile as a unitary or integrated design. The vent can also comprise individual channels aligned in substantially the same profile with or without spacers between the channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a building structure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an inlet portion of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a building structure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a series of vents of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a building structure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a series of vents of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a building structure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved soffit vent that maximizes the flow of air into a building structure through a vent in the structures soffit. In FIG. 1 the schematic shows a side view of vent 10 as installed on a building structure. The vent has front openings at its distal end 40 to allow for the passage of air from the surrounding environment. The air flows into the openings 41 in a curved bottom 42 and is directed up into the structure space 20 above the eave soffit opening or soffit area 22 by the curved bottom 42. It is preferred that the curved bottom 42 is louvered with slats 45 at the openings 41 however other designs include, but are not limited to, perforated screens, expanded metal, and slotted plates. The curve of the bottom 42 is of a given radius to aerodynamically convey intake air into the soffit area opening. The bottom 42 may or may not be inclined.

The slats can be fixed or movable, horizontal, vertical, or inclined and admit air while helping to shed rain. The slats 45 direct the flow of air and wind blown air through the vent and into the structure space 20. In one embodiment the openings 41 on the distal side of the vent 40 may be covered with an air permeable material to allow the flow of air but prevent other elements from entering the vent 10.

FIG. 1 shows the position of the soffit vent of the present invention in relation to the roof 25 and side wall 30 of the building structure. The vent 10 is positioned to provide the opening 40 to face opposite and away from the side wall 30. The positioning of the vent 10 in relation to the building structure is to direct the openings 41 towards the flow of air. This could be in any direction but is typically away from side walls 30 and towards the open environment. This figure clearly demonstrates the present invention provides an inlet, open channel, or front opening dropping below the soffit area plane to scoop air from the environment exterior to the soffit area.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the soffit vent 10. The substantially horizontally planar louvered slats 45 extend in three columns from first and second side walls 50, 52. The side walls have preinserted fasteners 53 such as screws for fastening the vent to the soffit area of the building structure. The bottom 42 is preferably a unitary sheet extending from the first side wall 50 to the second side wall 52 and from the distal end 40 to the proximal end 43. The bottom panel 42 of the vent 10 extends at its proximal end to create an angle relative to the soffit area of the building structure of approximately 45 degrees to 90 degrees. This proximal end has a curve of a given radius. The bottom extends from this proximal end in a substantially planar design to the distal end.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two vent sections 10, 12 joined to cover the soffit area. The vent sections can be joined using any known method including but not limited to adhesive, preinstalled adhesive tape, mortise and tenon, and tongue and groove. The sections may also be thermoformed together during manufacture. Additionally, the vent sections may not be joined but simply fixed to the soffit area of the building structure adjacent to each other.

The vent may have short slated louver sections with one or more supports between the side walls as shown in FIG. 4. This vent comprises side walls 60, 62 and two supporting walls 63, 64 with multiple louvered slats between. The supporting walls and side walls may be contoured to enhance the air flow through the vent and may continue beyond the soffit opening of the building structure into the area above the soffit (not shown).

In FIG. 5 a side view of vent 100 is shown installed on a building structure. This preferred embodiment of the vent has openings at its distal end 104 to allow for the passage of air from the surrounding environment. The air flows into the openings 104 and is directed up into the structure space 120 above the eave soffit opening 122 by the curved bottom 142. It is preferred that the curved bottom 142 is louvered with slats 145. The curve of the bottom 142 is of a given radius to aerodynamically convey intake air into the soffit opening from the distal end to the proximal end.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the soffit vent 200 installed in a series at the soffit area having channels 208 with louvered openings 202. The louvered slats can be inclined at an angle. The vents 200 can be fixed to each other, integral with each other or independent of each other. In FIG. 6 three vents 200 are separately placed under an eave. The curved bottom 206 directs incoming airflow up into the structure's space above the vent 200. Again, the curve of the bottom 206 is of a given radius to aerodynamically convey intake air into the soffit opening. However, the bottom may also be angular and inclined rather than curved.

FIG. 6 shows the top view of the vent 200 showing the openings to the channels 208 providing for the air to flow through the openings 202 and into the structure's space. Extending from the bottom 206 of each vent 200 are a first and second side 210, 212. The bottom 206 is preferably a unitary sheet extending from the first side 210 to the second side 212 and from the distal end 216 to the proximal end 218.

The soffit vent is fixed to the soffit by known methods including adhering, clamping, screwing, nailing, or by sliding into a grooved channel. The ends of the side walls, the distal and proximal ends of the bottom may provide for the vent being fixed by screw or nail holes, nail gun, glue, preapplied glue or adhesives, and other known methods. Additionally, the soffit vent can include pre-inserted nails or other fasteners.

FIG. 7 is a schematic figure similar to FIG. 6. In FIG. 7 the channels 308 are contoured to enhance the flow of incoming air through them. In additional embodiments the bottom may also be contoured to aid in the aerodynamic conveyance of the air.

FIG. 8 provides a partially opened front distal end 309 front facer with additional louvers 310 on the side walls 312. The additional louvers are provided to increase the airflow by increasing the NFA. These openings may also be used in any of the inventions' embodiments and are shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 also depicts a partitioned channel to help direct the airflow into the building structure.

In FIG. 9 the schematic represents the distal end with front openings and side openings. The vent also shows a partitioned channels formed by inner walls 318 to avoid the short circuiting of the air entering from front and leaving from the side.

In FIG. 10 the schematic represents the full front opening with lovers oriented vertical, horizontal and also with side louvers at an angle. The vent once again shows partitioned channels to avoid the short circuiting of the air entering from front and leaving from the side.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the vent where the distal end 320 lacks a front opening. This embodiment has louvers 322 extending at an angle from the bottom 324. The preferred angle of the bottom in relation to the soffit area is 30 degrees but may vary from 1 to 180 degrees. Additionally, the vent may extend into the structure space above the soffit areas.

Accordingly, it should be readily appreciated that the soffit vent of the present invention has many practical applications. Additionally, although the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example the openings of the vent do not have to be louvered but instead may be completely unobstructed or partially covered with any known design. Additionally the opening of the vent in any embodiment may be fixed at any angle substantially ranging from 1 degree to 180 degrees. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims. 

1. A soffit vent comprising: a bottom panel with extending side walls adapted to be fixed to a soffit area, a front opening and channel for conveying air.
 2. A soffit vent as in claim 1 wherein: the front opening is below the plane of the soffit area.
 3. A soffit vent as in claim I wherein: the bottom panel is contoured.
 4. A soffit as in claim I wherein: the side walls are adapted to receive fastening means.
 5. A soffit vent as in claim 4 wherein: the fastening means is selected from the group consisting of nails, screws, adhesives and clamps.
 6. A soffit vent as in claim I wherein: the side walls are contoured.
 7. A soffit vent as in claim 1 wherein: the bottom panel has one or more bottom openings.
 8. A soffit vent as in claim 1 wherein: the opening is substantially covered by an air permeable material.
 9. A soffit vent as in claim 1 wherein: the bottom panel extends from a proximal end to create an angle relative to the soffit area of 1-180 degrees and curves a known radius to a distal end.
 10. A soffit vent as in claim 9 wherein: the angle created by the bottom panel is 90 degrees.
 11. A soffit vent as in claim 9 wherein: the angle created by the bottom panel is 45 degrees.
 12. A soffit vent as in claim 1 wherein: the bottom panel and side walls extend above the soffit area.
 13. A soffit vent as in claim 1 further comprising: one or more side walls.
 14. A soffit vent comprising: a plurality of bottom panels with extending side walls fixed to each other and adapted to be fixed to a soffit area having a front opening and channel for conveying air.
 15. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: the front opening is below the plane of the soffit area.
 16. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: one or more of the plurality of bottom panels with extending side walls are interrupted by spacers.
 17. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: the bottom panel is contoured.
 18. A soffit as in claim 14 wherein: the side walls are adapted to receive fastening means.
 19. A soffit vent as in claim 18 wherein: the fastening means is selected from the group consisting of nails, screws, adhesives and clamps.
 20. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: the side walls are contoured.
 21. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: the bottom panel has one or more bottom openings.
 22. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: the opening is substantially covered by an air permeable material.
 23. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: the bottom panel extends from a proximal end to create an angle relative to the soffit area of 1-180 degrees and curves a known radius to a distal end.
 24. A soffit vent as in claim 23 wherein: the angle created by the bottom panel is 90 degrees.
 25. A soffit vent as in claim 23 wherein: the angle created by the bottom panel is 45 degrees.
 26. A soffit vent as in claim 14 wherein: the bottom panel and side walls extend above the soffit area.
 27. A soffit vent comprising: a unitary bottom panel with extending side walls; a one or more open channels created by the side walls, interior walls and bottom panel.
 28. A soffit vent as in claim 27 wherein: the one or more open channels are below the plane of the soffit area.
 29. A soffit vent as in claim 27 wherein: the bottom panel is contoured.
 30. A soffit as in claim 27 wherein: the side walls are adapted to receive fastening means.
 31. A soffit vent as in claim 30 wherein: the fastening means is selected from the group consisting of nails, screws, adhesives and clamps.
 32. A soffit vent as in claim 27 wherein: the side walls are contoured.
 33. A soffit vent as in claim 27 wherein: the bottom panel has one or more bottom openings.
 34. A soffit vent as in claim 27 wherein: the one or more open channels is substantially covered by an air permeable material.
 35. A soffit vent as in claim 27 wherein: the bottom panel extends from a proximal end to create an angle relative to the soffit area of 1-180 degrees and curves a known radius to a distal end.
 36. A soffit vent as in claim 35 wherein: the angle created by the bottom panel is 90 degrees.
 37. A soffit vent as in claim 35 wherein: the angle created by the bottom panel is 45 degrees.
 38. A soffit vent as in claim 27 wherein: the bottom panel and side walls extend above the soffit area.
 39. A soffit vent as in claim 27 further comprising: one or more interior walls extending from the bottom panel. 